As a late bloomer in the retirement planning arena, it is looking as though I am going to work at least part time during retirement. I am curious to hear from others who have had to do so; if your opinion, is having to work (even just part time) a destroyer of retirement joy? Thanks in advance for sharing our opinions!
After I retired, I worked part time, about 25 hours/week, as a range safety officer at a local indoor range. I was the oldest person there pretty easily. It didn’t really bother me. I quit after about 2 1/2 years when I witnessed an incident and realized, because of my bad back, I probably could not have reacted the way the RSO in this instance did, or if I did I would probably have hurt myself. If you like it, or find it interesting, the time you spend is not a loss.
Working can depend on "working from home" or requiring a person to drive to work and back home. Where we live, northern Colorado, that would be treacherous in winter months. My wife, who is 75 now, has been working from home since Feb 2021 on a full-time job. We have a 2-bedroom apartment and the spare bedroom works out fine for her workspace. She has no benefits, but does get an excellent salary from an insurance company she works for (thru a Temp Agency). She also draws her full SS as well. She works Monday thru Friday with all weekends off. There are times when she doesn't get a good night of sleep, but still has to get up at 6:30 AM to start work at 7:30AM. That can sometimes be rough. However, during the summer months, we have a very hard time taking our boat out on local lake, due to the number of boaters there are on weekends. Fortunately, I, her husband, takes care of housework while she is working. Like: load/run/unload dishwasher, do laundry, change bed linens, use our two iRobots for vacuuming and mopping floors among other things. IOW, Elle, there are those, like myself, that don't want to work anymore and those that do. I'm 73 1/2, fully retired and have been on Early SS since I turned 62. Neither of us have a Pension/Retirement.
And, another thing, there are companies that will resist hiring a person that is a Senior due to possible future health problems or conflicts with younger employees. For a year and a half, after we returned to Colorado, my wife had a heck of a time finding a job. We think it was due to her age and experience, of which she has a lot of in accounting/finance as well as a major Degree. When living in a city that is chocked full of Millennials, they will get jobs much, much quicker than a 72 year old would.
Personally, I think a little work during retirement makes you appreciate the "retirement" hours a little more. It can also keep you from getting too comfortable or sedentary.
I'd be bored, as well as broker, if I didn't work as long as I am still capable of doing something worth paying for. When your salary is supplementing your Social Security or retirement funds, it's not the drudge it might have been during your regular working life.
I wouldn’t mind doing something I guess but every time I look at different things it’s like, “No, thanks”. I see nothing I would be interested in doing.
It helps that I work from home but, given that young people no longer want to work, a lot of seniors are taking jobs at grocery and other retail stores, as well as in restaurants, often working part-time. Some of these are people who held professional jobs during their prime working life and are clearly supplementing their income now. A former town clerk is working at the hardware store here. I don't think they view it as a desperate move or as a step-down.
I thought of getting a part time job as a way to impose structure in my life, but for me nothing is low-stress. I like to angst. If I'm gonna work and be subject to the whims of another, then I may as well have stayed in my regular career and at least gotten paid top-dollar. I think getting paid less for being an underling might make me resent it more.
I was very busy with a volunteer organization I initially hooked up with through my job. I was with them for 7 years and wanted it to last much longer, but they ran out of money, and the key players left the area. I was Treasurer, general business guy, and project worker bee. When it went belly-up, I tried my hand at a being on the board of a couple of other non-profits, but neither the work nor the personalities were a good fit...man were they not a good fit.
Good afternoon to all- I work from home- when I'm not doing field research ( that's called fishing and taking photos of fish) and I write when i feel like it, and as long as I get material in on time- and I've never missed a deadline and don't plan on ever doing that-I can set my own work schedule. I don't think I would enjoy any sort of a "real" job at this point. I like being able to work when I want and not work when I don't want to- suit me right down to the ground. you all be safe and keep well- Ed